Alvin Home Again

In December 2010, the deep-submergence vehicle Alvin was trucked to Woods Hole from Jacksonville, Florida, where its support ship R/V Atlantis is undergoing routine maintenance. Alvin was then moved by crane to the High Bay in the Iselin Marine Facility at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where it will undergo a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade lasting until 2012. When complete, the upgrade will give Alvin a larger and stronger personnel sphere, upgraded imaging systems, and better views from inside the front of the sub for scientists and pilots. At left is Alvin manager Pat Hickey. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)